Mr. Andre Bechara, representing the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL), participated in the “Sustainable Hunting and Green List Certification Workshop” organized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) through its IUCN Regional Office for West Asia (IUCN ROWA).
The workshop was hosted by the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve at the Crowne Plaza Riyadh, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and brought together protected area managers, policymakers, and conservation practitioners from across the region.
Advancing Sustainable Hunting and Green List Standards
The regional forum focused on strengthening governance frameworks for sustainable hunting and advancing pathways toward achieving the IUCN Green List Standard. Key discussions addressed regulatory enforcement, ecological monitoring, stakeholder engagement, and adaptive management systems aligned with international best practices.
Lebanon’s Experience in Combating Illegal Hunting
During the technical sessions, Mr. Bechara delivered a comprehensive case study on illegal hunting in Lebanon. He outlined the historical scale of poaching pressures on migratory birds and terrestrial wildlife, highlighting persistent challenges such as enforcement gaps, weak deterrence mechanisms, and limited community ownership that previously undermined conservation efforts.
The presentation showcased SPNL’s strategic response, centered on reviving the Hima model, an indigenous, community-based conservation system rooted in customary stewardship principles. Through the “Homat Al Hima” (Guardians of the Hima) approach, SPNL has implemented an integrated framework combining:
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Structured advocacy campaigns targeting legislative reform and public awareness
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Strengthened coordination with Internal Security Forces anti-poaching units
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Community ranger networks and volunteer monitoring systems
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Municipal engagement to institutionalize local conservation bylaws
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Education and youth mobilization to shift social norms around hunting
Measurable Impact and Regional Relevance
As a result of this integrated governance model, illegal hunting levels have significantly declined in several priority landscapes in Lebanon. The case study demonstrated that enforcement alone is insufficient, and that durable conservation outcomes depend on social legitimacy, local ownership, and participatory governance.
Mr. Bechara emphasized that the Hima model offers a replicable framework for the region, particularly for protected areas seeking IUCN Green List certification. By embedding conservation responsibilities within local communities and reinforcing accountability mechanisms, protected areas can transition from externally imposed control systems to co-managed stewardship regimes.
Strengthening Regional Cooperation
The workshop provided a valuable platform for knowledge exchange between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, especially in light of the expanding protected area network under national reserve authorities. The dialogue reinforced the importance of hybrid governance models that integrate traditional conservation systems, modern regulatory enforcement, and measurable performance indicators aligned with global standards.
SPNL reaffirmed its commitment to sharing Lebanon’s experience and continuing collaboration with regional and international partners to promote sustainable hunting, biodiversity protection, and community-led conservation across West Asia.
